Royal Harwich Lark Open report

An exaltation of Larks ventured to Royal Harwich Yacht Club for the open meeting held jointly with the National 12 and Firefly cousins. Conditions were breezy for both days. Saturday's gusty westerlies caused mayhem as the larks tried to weave their way through National 12s and Fireflies on Graham Ireland's legendary outer loop trapezoid courses. By Sunday the wind had veered so that it was coming straight down the river making it slightly more stable but still breezy.

Harry Pynn and his 2011 crew, Adam Owens, took 4 race wins out of 5 to win the event.
Lark new-comers Henry Mills, sailing with Emma Knott were 2nd, counting three 3rds and a win in the final race, proving that their light weight was not a problem in the conditions.
In third overall, Charlie Roome and Dave Marlow had led around the windward mark in race one and also led race 3 following a superbly taken gybe at the leeward mark.

Other notable performances were Chris Holliman and Kate Hutchins who pushed Pynn and Owens hard in race 2 and also came 2nd in race 5. Nigel Hufton and Andy Douglas squandered a good overall position by wrapping the pin end of the finish line around their rudder in the final race. Birthday boy Simon Cox and crew Ally Dart crossed the line first in race 5 but were later disqualified after protest against them was upheld.

As usual Royal Harwich provided the fantastic close racing that the Lark fleet is famous for. The class would like to thank Royal Harwich Yacht Club for organising the event and Jon Ibbotson, John Meadowcroft and Roger Morris for their time on the protest committee.